LaSalle CountyNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Programs available as Podcasts.NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94LaSalle CountyFri, 01 Dec 2017 06:44:21 +0000LaSalle Countyhttp://northernpublicradio.org
Chase CavanaughNorthern White Sand terminated a lease with a LaSalle County barge loading facility along the Illinois River. The company shuttered its Utica mine in March of last year and wanted to renegotiate the lease, citing a struggling business climate. However, the County held them to the original terms, which would have required a payment of at least $90,000. Board Member Tom Walsh says the effects on the County are limited. "The only change is going to be that the County won’t receive the funds that we would have in relationship to the lease, but they’re still in operation," he said. Walsh noted Northern White Sand still has infrastructure throughout the County. “They have a sand pit here in LaSalle County, and they have a processing system that they’re working on to a loading facility on Route 6 where they can load trucks," he said, "and they have other connections down in Peru for rail shipment." The company hasn't said if it will reopen its Utica mine.Northern White Sand Terminates Lease With LaSalle County Barge Facilityhttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/northern-white-sand-terminates-lease-lasalle-county-barge-facility
107690 as http://northernpublicradio.orgWed, 29 Nov 2017 12:45:35 +0000Northern White Sand Terminates Lease With LaSalle County Barge FacilityWNIJ NewsThe Illinois Supreme Court won’t decide on the legality of LaSalle County's SAFE unit until at least September. The State's Attorney Felony Enforcement Unit was a drug-enforcement group under the purview of former LaSalle County State’s Attorney Brian Towne. Its stated purpose was to cut down on drug crimes. However, several out-of-state drivers allege they were targeted disproportionately for asset forfeiture. Current State's Attorney Karen Donnelly also filed a lawsuit alleging SAFE improperly transferred $570,000 to the Spring Valley police and that Towne spent more than half those funds on trips and personal wi-fi. The Ottawa Times reports an appeals court ruled Towne’s office didn’t have the authority to form the unit, and the decision was appealed. Thursday was the last day for the Illinois Supreme Court to release opinions on cases until its fall session begins in September. Donnelly says she has no plans to bring back the unit, even if it’s eventually ruled legal.Illinois Supreme Court Won't Rule On SAFE Until At Least Septemberhttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/illinois-supreme-court-wont-rule-safe-until-least-september
99825 as http://northernpublicradio.orgFri, 16 Jun 2017 13:37:34 +0000Illinois Supreme Court Won't Rule On SAFE Until At Least SeptemberChase CavanaughThe LaSalle County State’s Attorney’s Office declined to say whether it’s investigating a drug-forfeiture task force. Current State’s Attorney Karen Donnelly filed a lawsuit alleging that her predecessor “criminally misused public money” under the SAFE task force. This group was run by predecessor Brian Towne’s office but later disbanded after Donnelly was elected earlier this year. The suit claims Towne didn’t have the authority to pass more than $570,000 to the Spring Valley police, and that he spent more than half the funds on trips and personal wi-fi. Some out-of-state travelers allege that SAFE singled them out for asset seizure, rather than its stated purpose of curbing drug crime. Contacted by WNIJ, Donnelly said her office doesn’t comment on investigations. Currently, Towne works as a special prosecutor for the Illinois appellate prosecutor’s office.LaSalle County State's Attorney's Office Won't Confirm Or Deny SAFE Probehttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/lasalle-county-states-attorneys-office-wont-confirm-or-deny-safe-probe
99718 as http://northernpublicradio.orgWed, 14 Jun 2017 13:25:26 +0000LaSalle County State's Attorney's Office Won't Confirm Or Deny SAFE ProbeWNIJ NewsHigh winds caused a variety of damage in several areas of northern Illinois yesterday. Splintered trees and pieces of sheet metal littered ditches along the 7900 and 8000 blocks of North Rockton Avenue in rural Rockford, the Rockford Register Star reports . The winds were also strong enough to rip part of the roof off of a large shed. ComEd also reports almost 1,200 customers are without power in the area. There were reports of debris blocking several main roads in Stephenson County. Flaming utility poles also were reported in Cedarville Road in Rock City and along the South Farwell bridge in German Valley. Dust storms also caused poor visibility in the LaSalle County area. The News Tribune reports that traffic came to a halt on Interstate 80 after accidents in lanes north of Wyanet and east of Illinois 40 in Bureau County. Multiple fire departments also responded to accidents on I-80 and US 6. Ameren reports 50 customers remain without power in Spring Valley, along with 551 in NorthHigh Winds Lead To Damage In Parts Of Northern Illinoishttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/high-winds-lead-damage-parts-northern-illinois
98511 as http://northernpublicradio.orgThu, 18 May 2017 13:11:19 +0000High Winds Lead To Damage In Parts Of Northern IllinoisWNIJ NewsLast month was the second-wettest April on record for Illinois. Average state precipitation came in at about seven inches. State Climatologist Jim Angel says much of it came in the last seven days, particularly in downstate areas such as Carbondale and Murphysboro. Gov. Bruce Rauner activated the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate relief efforts. Northern Illinois received about 4 to 5 inches of rain, which caused flooding in areas such as LaSalle County. Angel notes that small rivers react quickly to heavy rainfall, so authorities are examining when the larger rivers will peak.Illinois Has Second Wettest April On Recordhttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/illinois-has-second-wettest-april-record
97725 as http://northernpublicradio.orgTue, 02 May 2017 13:03:46 +0000Illinois Has Second Wettest April On RecordWNIJ NewsThe Illinois River rose to around 14 feet over the weekend due to heavy rainfall. The National Weather Service predicts it could crest as high as 20 feet Monday. As of Sunday afternoon, the National Weather Service reports Ottawa received the most rain, at 4.5 inches. It was followed by Oglesby, at 4.44 inches, and LaSalle, at highest precipitation, at 4.37 inches. Several areas reported flooded roads, according to the LaSalle News Tribune. The City of Peru reported flooding at 38th Street and North Progress Boulevard, as well as the north end of Peoria Street. Lostant reported flooding on Second Street and the north and south intersections of Illinois 251. However, those intersections were cleared by Illinois State Police. Bailey Creek in Tonica also flooded, impeding traffic on Illinois 251 near the intersection with Peoria-Ottawa Road The Rockford Register Star reports Riverside Park in Roscoe is closed due to flooding, but as of Monday morning, NOAA reports the Rock River is at aHeavy Rain And Flooding Reported In LaSalle County And Roscoehttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/heavy-rain-and-flooding-reported-lasalle-county-and-roscoe
97670 as http://northernpublicradio.orgMon, 01 May 2017 13:28:45 +0000Heavy Rain And Flooding Reported In LaSalle County And RoscoeChase CavanaughTighter controls are recommended for a checking account controlled by the LaSalle County State's Attorney's Office. The account, which holds proceeds from drug forfeitures within the county, has been under scrutiny following allegations that former State's Attorney Brian Towne's administration used the funds improperly. Morris-based Mack & Associates conducted an audit of the previous fiscal year through Nov. 30, when Towne left office. Their report says expenses did not match up with county books, and they recommended the account be placed under the control of the county treasurer. This report was brought up Wednesday in a State's Attorney oversight committee meeting. First Assistant State's Attorney George Mueller contested the findings, alleging that Mack & Associates had mixed up the account, Fund 1505, with Fund 25, a drug fines account that is already under the treasurer's control. He also says state law explicitly allows the State's Attorney's Office to control drugLaSalle County Drug Forfeiture Fund Needs Better Controls, Auditor Sayshttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/lasalle-county-drug-forfeiture-fund-needs-better-controls-auditor-says
97580 as http://northernpublicradio.orgFri, 28 Apr 2017 16:58:09 +0000LaSalle County Drug Forfeiture Fund Needs Better Controls, Auditor SaysChase CavanaughElection cycles always mean a turnover in county officials. Some of these new public servants may see this as a clean slate, but many have to deal with issues from a previous administration. The new LaSalle County State's Attorney campaigned against and eventually shut down a program established by the person she defeated for the job. Republican Karen Donnelly was elected last November as LaSalle County State's Attorney. Among her duties is serving as chief law enforcement officer and prosecutor. She’s worked in law for nearly 30 years and spent the past two years in county government. Donnelly says her long career in private practice means she likes tackling much of the office work herself. “I like to get my feet wet, get in there, get dirty," she said, "and do things that I wouldn’t ask any assistant or secretary to do that I couldn’t do myself.” She was motivated to run for State’s Attorney by a program called SAFE, which was set up by her Democratic predecessor, Brian Towne. TheNew State's Attorney Faced Issues To Resolve From Predecessor's Tenurehttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/new-states-attorney-faced-issues-resolve-predecessors-tenure
94523 as http://northernpublicradio.orgFri, 17 Feb 2017 12:07:02 +0000New State's Attorney Faced Issues To Resolve From Predecessor's TenureWNIJ NewsThe Illinois Supreme Court has agreed to review the Rock Island Clean Line project. The proposed power line would transmit electricity generated from wind farms beginning in northwest Iowa through Illinois' Bureau and LaSalle counties. The LaSalle News-Tribune reports the project was approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission, but rejected by the Third Appellate Court for not meeting the criteria of a public utility. Opponents have said that such a designation would grant the project eminent domain rights. A representative of Clean Line Energy Partners told WNIJ News that there was no request for eminent domain authority before the Illinois Commerce Commission. Interested parties must file briefs with the court by December 28, and reply briefs are due 35 days later. Oral arguments will then be scheduled in the spring.Illinois Supreme Court To Review Rock Island Clean Linehttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/illinois-supreme-court-review-rock-island-clean-line
91154 as http://northernpublicradio.orgWed, 30 Nov 2016 13:02:41 +0000Illinois Supreme Court To Review Rock Island Clean LineWNIJ NewsConservation police are expected to issue a record amount of tickets at Starved Rock State Park. The LaSalle News-Tribune reports the previous record was 1,484 tickets in 2014. Now, officials say they're on pace to issue 1,568, more than three times the total in an average year. People are fined by conservation officers when they take closed trails, and meant to be a preemptive strike against visitors falling and injuring themselves. The amount of tickets coincides with a record attendance year for Starved Rock, which may surpass 2.9 million visitors.Conservation Police At Starved Rock State Park To Issue Record Number Of Tickets http://northernpublicradio.org/post/conservation-police-starved-rock-state-park-issue-record-number-tickets
90263 as http://northernpublicradio.orgTue, 08 Nov 2016 13:25:12 +0000Conservation Police At Starved Rock State Park To Issue Record Number Of Tickets Chase CavanaughThe company behind the Rock Island Clean Line plans to appeal their case to the Illinois Supreme Court. The project would transmit electricity from northwest Iowa to a converter station in Grundy County. Parent company Clean Line Energy wanted to use eminent domain to secure property for the project in LaSalle County. However, an appellate court said the utility couldn’t because it didn’t meet two requirements for being a public utility. Specifically, it doesn't own, control, operate or manage assets within Illinois, and the proposed transmission line isn't available for public use without discrimination. The Ottawa Times reports Clean Line is joined in its appeal by several groups, including the National Resources Defense Council, Wind on the Wires, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. IBEW's international president says the court’s ruling interferes with “vital interstate transmission projects.”Clean Line Energy Plans To Appeal LaSalle County Case To Illinois Supreme Courthttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/clean-line-energy-plans-appeal-lasalle-county-case-illinois-supreme-court
88084 as http://northernpublicradio.orgFri, 16 Sep 2016 12:08:59 +0000Clean Line Energy Plans To Appeal LaSalle County Case To Illinois Supreme CourtWNIJ NewsThe LaSalle County Board voted 20-6 Monday to extend a moratorium on any new high-capacity wells in the area. It effectively bans the creation of any new sand mining operations, which require large amounts of water. The moratorium was supposed to expire today, but the Ottawa Times reports board members want to wait for the results of a water study from the U.S. Geological Survey. The group says the study is set to finish in late September. The moratorium remains in effect until the County Board's next meeting Nov. 3.LaSalle County Board Extends High-Capacity Well Moratoriumhttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/lasalle-county-board-extends-high-capacity-well-moratorium
87911 as http://northernpublicradio.orgTue, 13 Sep 2016 11:23:04 +0000LaSalle County Board Extends High-Capacity Well MoratoriumSusan StephensThe LaSalle County city of Marseilles has issued a voluntary evacuation because of rising floodwaters. Emergency officials don’t expect the river to rise to levels that would require a mandatory evacuation. But under their flood plans, once the Illinois River hits flood stage, 19 feet, people in areas damaged by floods in 2013 are advised to leave their homes. Or at least keep a close eye on the rising water. They were notified by automated phone messages. Mandatory evacuations kick in when the river reaches 22 feet at the Morris Dam, but it’s not forecast to get that high. S ome businesses have closed as well as parts of Starved Rock State Park because of projected flooding. Other communities along the Illinois River are under a flood warning until further notice. In April of 2013, Marseilles was hit with its worst flooding ever because of torrential rains and loose barges ramming into a dam.LaSalle County Issues Voluntary Evacuation, Rising Floodwatershttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/lasalle-county-issues-voluntary-evacuation-rising-floodwaters
75991 as http://northernpublicradio.orgWed, 30 Dec 2015 12:40:15 +0000LaSalle County Issues Voluntary Evacuation, Rising FloodwatersJenna DooleyThe mining industry’s economic impact on LaSalle County is in the hundreds of millions of dollars. That’s according to a new study from Northern Illinois University. The LaSalle County Mining Coalition and the Illinois Association of Aggregate Producers commissioned the study from NIU’s Center for Governmental Studies . Researcher Brian Harger found the mining industry paid more than $100 million to employees in 2013. That was the last full year of data when the study began. It also calculated household spending from those employees and the money companies spend on goods and services. “One of the side projects we did was looking at where mining employees live in that area. We found about 83 percent of them actually live in LaSalle County. The balance of the employees live fairly close by.” The study did not include statistics relating to the environmental effects of the mining industry. Harger said that information was not included in the scope of the study commissioned by theEconomic Impact Of LaSalle County Mininghttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/economic-impact-lasalle-county-mining
62863 as http://northernpublicradio.orgTue, 31 Mar 2015 10:00:00 +0000Economic Impact Of LaSalle County MiningRyan PumroyA number of local governments across Illinois are getting money to inspect pollution-control facilities and to investigate complaints about illegal dumping.Local Governments To Receive More Than $1.5 Million In Grants From Illinois EPAhttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/local-governments-receive-more-15-million-grants-illinois-epa
53508 as http://northernpublicradio.orgWed, 10 Sep 2014 22:31:15 +0000Local Governments To Receive More Than $1.5 Million In Grants From Illinois EPAMike MoenThe latest project was approved by the village of Utica. The decision could spur legal action from opponents.LaSalle County Is Getting Another Sand Minehttp://northernpublicradio.org/post/lasalle-county-getting-another-sand-mine
42828 as http://northernpublicradio.orgFri, 07 Feb 2014 12:11:22 +0000LaSalle County Is Getting Another Sand MineSusan StephensLaSalle County business leaders are looking to a simple idea with a great slogan to turn their economy around.LaSalle County Wants You To "Just Hire One"http://northernpublicradio.org/post/lasalle-county-wants-you-just-hire-one
24287 as http://northernpublicradio.orgMon, 21 Jan 2013 10:00:00 +0000LaSalle County Wants You To "Just Hire One"WNIJMunicipal aggregation when it comes to electricity took a while to catch on. Now, it is on the ballot in about 200 communities, including in rural areas of LaSalle County . Businesses and households can become their customers individually. But with voters' approval, communities can also do it collectively for residents. There are now 30 alternative suppliers.Voting Power: Ballot Measure on Electricity Aggregation http://northernpublicradio.org/post/voting-power-ballot-measure-electricity-aggregation
20227 as http://northernpublicradio.orgTue, 23 Oct 2012 10:07:54 +0000Voting Power: Ballot Measure on Electricity Aggregation